The Other Tide

Chapter XIV

Night approached, sending a slight chill through the air. Sariah was inside the captain's quarters, speaking with the Captain. Cassian sat outside with his men, bouncing his leg. "How long must they talk?" He seemed annoyed. Oxi rolled his eyes. "Why do you care? She is just catching up with family, is she not?" Oxi crossed his arms, looking over at him. "It's weird to think Sariah's aunt is Alya Price." Arien commented, looking over his gun. Mohan nodded, throwing his knife up in the air and catching it. Cassian sighed. "Yet it makes me nervous to think they're alone, family or not." His eyes narrowed at the door.

Inside, Sariah was showing Alya all she had discovered with the pages. "How did you ever learn how to translate this?" Alya asked, looking over the diary pages. "I taught myself, of course my father may have helped a bit." She smiled. Alya looked up at her with a smile. "If your mother could see you now." Alya sighed, gathering the pages. "How is she, by the way? I haven't spoken to her in a long time." Alya sat down, eager to hear about her sister. Sariah looked away, her expression softening. "I'm sorry... she's not around anymore." Sariah fidgeted with her necklace. Alya's face dropped, her heart breaking. "Oh..." She stood up, walking over to the back windows. "She was killed by pirates. All because of this." She took off her necklace, placing it on the desk. Alya turned her head, looking down at the necklace. "I should have known our family's history would come back to bite us." Alya stepped forward, picking it up. "But tell me this...why bring pirates to this cursed treasure? Why are you with pirates, when that was the very thing that killed your mother?" Alya asked, looking up at her niece. "I was taken, and they need me." Sariah looked up as well. Alya scoffed. "They don't need you. Let me guess, they're here to break their own curse?" Alya shook her head. "Cassian mentioned something about you being responsible for their curse. Are you the enemy ship that tricked them?" She asked. Alya smirked. "That's what he told you? Ha!" Alya laughed. "He was a greedy young pirate, who knew nothing. He is a dangerous man who had what was coming." She leaned on her desk. "You're wrong." Sariah turned, her eyes narrowing. "I see. You love him, don't you?" Alya asked, crossing her arms. "I see the way he looks at you, the way you look at eachother."

Sariah turned away. "He's only using you, Sariah." Alya spoke, trying to deceive her niece. "A pirate only loves the sea, nothing more." Her words rang in Sariah's ears. "I'm trying to warn you, Sariah. Once he breaks his curse, he will leave you. They all do." Alya's voice lowered. Sariah clenched her jaw. "That's enough!" She shouted, turning around. Alya jumped. "I know how pirates are, and I know him. I'm not some naive little girl." Sariah turned around, walking out of the room. Alya watched as she left, looking down at her sister's necklace.

Her boots sounded on the hardwood, walking back to the others. Cassian straightened up, watching as she looked upset. "Hey-.." Cassian started before Sariah cut him off. "We need to get to that pyramid." She looked determined, reaching out a hand to him. "And how do you suppose we do that?" He raised an eyebrow, taking her hand as she helped him up. "They have men watching us." He whispered, looking around. "Get the others. I'll create a distraction." She nodded, letting go of his hand. Before she could walk away, he stopped her, grabbing her arm. "Wait." He spoke. Sariah turned, facing him. "I'm sorry." He whispered. "I should have talked to you about the whole....kiss thing." He cleared his throat. "An explanation of your feelings would have been nice." She admitted, looking up at his eyes. "I'm sorry, I-...I was nervous about it all and never even considered it." He rubbed the back of his neck as he let her go. She softly smiled, leaning in to kiss his cheek. Cassian's eyes widened. "I like you too." She smirked, walking off.

Sariah walked up to Kyro, playing it casually. Kyro looked down at her, his expression serious. "Sorry to bother you, but I think I heard some type of distress below deck. I'm really concerned." She acted all worried, batting her eyelashes. Kyro gruffed, walking to the stairs. He nodded to two men, leaving one supervising. They walked below deck, looking around. Sariah quickly closed the hatch, shoving things on top of the door. Kyro turned, banging on the door. Cassian snuck up behind the last man standing, quietly placing a hand on his mouth. They struggled a bit before closing their eyes. Arien and Mohan placed the plank onto shore. Sariah caught up with them, and the group of six made their way on shore. "We need to hurry, I don't know how long that door will hold them." She said, leading the way. They quickly made it into the little city. Running through the streets.

Meanwhile on the ship, Alya was contemplating what she had said to Sariah. "Maybe I was a little harsh.." She said to herself. She stood up, walking to the double doors. Opening them, she looked up seeing a few prisoners missing. Just then the trap door burst open. Kyro stepped out, looking at the same scene. Alya's heart raced. "Find them!" She ordered, grabbing her coat.

The group found themselves standing in front of the giant pyramid. "There should be a door." Sariah looked around, dusting off some leaves on the wall. "Another marking.." She observed, looking at the different signs. "Guys, I think I found it." She said, stepping back a bit as the door opened.